The Homerton College Design Programme

Applications for The Homerton College Design Programme are now open!

Submit your application by 1st May 2024

Some feedback from our participants…

98% would ‘strongly recommend’ or 'recommend' the programme to future Year 12 (or equivalent) students

“I really enjoyed the programme and think it's a great initiative!”

“What a fantastic opportunity!”

Aimed at students in Year 12 England/ Wales, Year 13 Northern Ireland, S5 Scotland (or equivalent), the Homerton College Design Programme is intended to equip participants with key skills that are considered highly desirable by university admissions tutors such as communication, problem-solving and research design. The programme is primarily designed for students who are interested in Engineering, Design and Natural Sciences, but applicants may also apply who are interested in other disciplines such as Medicine, Psychology, Maths, Geography, Education, Architecture and Economics. You must simply be keen to engage with the theme of the programme 'Building a Sustainable and Healthy World'.

Applicants should register interest in the programme as a team of two, three or four. All participants will gain access to a selection of subject-specific and skills-based webinar workshops from May to July. We have designed the programme to be flexible to fit around school and examination commitments. Our workshops will provide the support needed to design a sustainable solution to an environmental problem of the assembled team's choosing. Designs may consider any discipline but we expect that most designs will focus on conservation, medicine, energy, recycling, economics or education. In the past, students have designed devices, buildings, educational programmes, gardening strategies, apps and charities; there really are no limits.

All programme participants who submit a project which meets the programme regulations and:
a) achieve Highly Commended for their entry and/or 
b) have always attended a UK state school
will be invited to attend Homerton College's free Sustainability Student Conference on Friday 23rd August 2024. This event is hybrid, enabling participants to attend sessions online if they cannot attend in-person.

Prizes and Awards will be given to the most impressive entries to the Design Programme. Travel bursaries will be available for those in need who would be travelling to the Sustainability Student Conference via public transport.

Programme participants who have always attended a UK state school and achieve ‘Highly Commended’ for their submission will be invited to attend a free residential visit at Homerton from Thursday 22nd-Saturday 24th August 2024, as well as being invited to Homerton College’s Sustainability Student Conference on Friday 23rd August 2024.

To apply for this programme you must be:

  • In Year 12 (England/ Wales), Year 13 (Northern Ireland), S5 Scotland, or equivalent
  • On track to achieve at least AAA at A Level (or equivalent)
  • Able to assemble a team of two, three or four people from your school
  • Interested in designing a solution to a real-world environmental or health problem

The programme is primarily designed for students who are interested in Engineering, Design and Natural Sciences, but applicants may also apply who are interested in other disciplines such as Medicine, Psychology, Maths, Geography, Education, Architecture and Economics. 

Please note that we have a capacity limit for the Design programme; if we receive a high volume of applications we will prioritise applications from students who meet our widening participation criteria outlined below. Students who meet one or more of these criteria may also be eligible for extra support and guidance through the programme:

• Currently and/or have always attended a UK state school student

• No parental history of higher education

• Currently or previously living under local authority care and estranged students

• Eligible for Free School Meals (currently, or in the previous six years)

• IMD deciles 1-2

• Low school/college progression rates to higher education and/or Cambridge

• Disability/extenuating circumstances which have affected study

• Ethnicity: students who identify as Black British, British Bangladeshi, and British Pakistani

• Caring responsibilities

• POLAR4 classification 1 or 2

If you have any questions about the programme please email us: access@homerton.cam.ac.uk.

Submit your application here by the deadline of 1st May 2024

Students - keep an eye on this page, or follow our Admissions and Outreach Twitter account and Outreach Instagram page to be notified of updates to the Design Programme.

Teachers and HE Advisors – subscribe to our teacher newsletter to be notified of updates to the Design Programme, as well as other Access and Outreach activities being run by Homerton College.

Poster for Design programme

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